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Flagstone Waterfall
We are planning to build a new waterfall on our 1600 gallon pond using flagstone and we are looking for some tips as to what types of mortar are safe for fish,plants etc, also would like any help in what type of construction anyone has used when working with flagstone. Thanks in advance -- The Courages |
Flagstone Waterfall
There are two main types of materials used for mortaring or grouting stones
on waterfalls and streams that seem to work. One is a foam called Great Stuff, which is injected between the stones after they have been dry stacked. It expands and will bubble out of the joint area, but it is easily cut with a knife to get the shape that you would like. It is a yellowish color, but can be darkened by burning the surface with a torch, smearing with soil, or applying dyes. They make a black foam also, but it is much more expensive. These foams are flexible and allow some movement of the soil without losing integrity. The other is a Portland cement mortar or grout. I would stay away from masonry mortar, since it has slaked lime added to make it more buttery, but the lime has a pH of about 13, so it will affect the pH of the pond significantly. A regular Portland cement mortar will also generate some hydrated lime as a byproduct of the chemical reaction that makes it harden. Allow the mortar to cure for about a month, and if there is only small amounts in contact with the water, you shouldn't have to worry. If there is a large amount of mortar present, you need to monitor the pH and possibly do water changes due to the pH climbing too high. Portland cement mortars are rigid and will crack due to shifting of the soil, or freeze thaw action. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Norm Courage" wrote in message ble.rogers.com... We are planning to build a new waterfall on our 1600 gallon pond using flagstone and we are looking for some tips as to what types of mortar are safe for fish,plants etc, also would like any help in what type of construction anyone has used when working with flagstone. Thanks in advance -- The Courages |
Flagstone Waterfall
There are two main types of materials used for mortaring or grouting stones
on waterfalls and streams that seem to work. One is a foam called Great Stuff, which is injected between the stones after they have been dry stacked. It expands and will bubble out of the joint area, but it is easily cut with a knife to get the shape that you would like. It is a yellowish color, but can be darkened by burning the surface with a torch, smearing with soil, or applying dyes. They make a black foam also, but it is much more expensive. These foams are flexible and allow some movement of the soil without losing integrity. The other is a Portland cement mortar or grout. I would stay away from masonry mortar, since it has slaked lime added to make it more buttery, but the lime has a pH of about 13, so it will affect the pH of the pond significantly. A regular Portland cement mortar will also generate some hydrated lime as a byproduct of the chemical reaction that makes it harden. Allow the mortar to cure for about a month, and if there is only small amounts in contact with the water, you shouldn't have to worry. If there is a large amount of mortar present, you need to monitor the pH and possibly do water changes due to the pH climbing too high. Portland cement mortars are rigid and will crack due to shifting of the soil, or freeze thaw action. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Norm Courage" wrote in message ble.rogers.com... We are planning to build a new waterfall on our 1600 gallon pond using flagstone and we are looking for some tips as to what types of mortar are safe for fish,plants etc, also would like any help in what type of construction anyone has used when working with flagstone. Thanks in advance -- The Courages |
Flagstone Waterfall
Thanks for the information, I have used Great Stuff around the house of the
years, is there any concerns health wise using it on the waterfall as far as Koi and plants are concerned ? or is it safe after it has cured ? Regards "RichToyBox" wrote in message news:nnu7b.404297$YN5.267845@sccrnsc01... There are two main types of materials used for mortaring or grouting stones on waterfalls and streams that seem to work. One is a foam called Great Stuff, which is injected between the stones after they have been dry stacked. It expands and will bubble out of the joint area, but it is easily cut with a knife to get the shape that you would like. It is a yellowish color, but can be darkened by burning the surface with a torch, smearing with soil, or applying dyes. They make a black foam also, but it is much more expensive. These foams are flexible and allow some movement of the soil without losing integrity. The other is a Portland cement mortar or grout. I would stay away from masonry mortar, since it has slaked lime added to make it more buttery, but the lime has a pH of about 13, so it will affect the pH of the pond significantly. A regular Portland cement mortar will also generate some hydrated lime as a byproduct of the chemical reaction that makes it harden. Allow the mortar to cure for about a month, and if there is only small amounts in contact with the water, you shouldn't have to worry. If there is a large amount of mortar present, you need to monitor the pH and possibly do water changes due to the pH climbing too high. Portland cement mortars are rigid and will crack due to shifting of the soil, or freeze thaw action. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Norm Courage" wrote in message ble.rogers.com... We are planning to build a new waterfall on our 1600 gallon pond using flagstone and we are looking for some tips as to what types of mortar are safe for fish,plants etc, also would like any help in what type of construction anyone has used when working with flagstone. Thanks in advance -- The Courages |
Flagstone Waterfall
Thanks for the information, I have used Great Stuff around the house of the
years, is there any concerns health wise using it on the waterfall as far as Koi and plants are concerned ? or is it safe after it has cured ? Regards "RichToyBox" wrote in message news:nnu7b.404297$YN5.267845@sccrnsc01... There are two main types of materials used for mortaring or grouting stones on waterfalls and streams that seem to work. One is a foam called Great Stuff, which is injected between the stones after they have been dry stacked. It expands and will bubble out of the joint area, but it is easily cut with a knife to get the shape that you would like. It is a yellowish color, but can be darkened by burning the surface with a torch, smearing with soil, or applying dyes. They make a black foam also, but it is much more expensive. These foams are flexible and allow some movement of the soil without losing integrity. The other is a Portland cement mortar or grout. I would stay away from masonry mortar, since it has slaked lime added to make it more buttery, but the lime has a pH of about 13, so it will affect the pH of the pond significantly. A regular Portland cement mortar will also generate some hydrated lime as a byproduct of the chemical reaction that makes it harden. Allow the mortar to cure for about a month, and if there is only small amounts in contact with the water, you shouldn't have to worry. If there is a large amount of mortar present, you need to monitor the pH and possibly do water changes due to the pH climbing too high. Portland cement mortars are rigid and will crack due to shifting of the soil, or freeze thaw action. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Norm Courage" wrote in message ble.rogers.com... We are planning to build a new waterfall on our 1600 gallon pond using flagstone and we are looking for some tips as to what types of mortar are safe for fish,plants etc, also would like any help in what type of construction anyone has used when working with flagstone. Thanks in advance -- The Courages |
Flagstone Waterfall
"RichToyBox" wrote in message news:nnu7b.404297$YN5.267845@sccrnsc01... There are two main types of materials used for mortaring or grouting stones on waterfalls and streams that seem to work. One is a foam called Great Stuff, which is injected between the stones after they have been dry stacked. It expands and will bubble out of the joint area, but it is easily cut with a knife to get the shape that you would like. It is a yellowish color, but can be darkened by burning the surface with a torch, smearing with soil, or applying dyes. They make a black foam also, but it is much more expensive. These foams are flexible and allow some movement of the soil without losing integrity. Has anyone tried to just paint the foam with black latex house paint? That should be waterproof, and is water washup for you brushes. I'm sure you could use regular acrylic paint, but I'd think latex house paint would last longer in the elements... -- Gareee© Homepage: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more! |
Flagstone Waterfall
"RichToyBox" wrote in message news:nnu7b.404297$YN5.267845@sccrnsc01... There are two main types of materials used for mortaring or grouting stones on waterfalls and streams that seem to work. One is a foam called Great Stuff, which is injected between the stones after they have been dry stacked. It expands and will bubble out of the joint area, but it is easily cut with a knife to get the shape that you would like. It is a yellowish color, but can be darkened by burning the surface with a torch, smearing with soil, or applying dyes. They make a black foam also, but it is much more expensive. These foams are flexible and allow some movement of the soil without losing integrity. Has anyone tried to just paint the foam with black latex house paint? That should be waterproof, and is water washup for you brushes. I'm sure you could use regular acrylic paint, but I'd think latex house paint would last longer in the elements... -- Gareee© Homepage: http://www.fortunecity.com/tattooine.../mainframe.htm Custom Figures, Wallpapers and more! |
Flagstone Waterfall
I have tried latex paint on other things in the pond. Didn't hold up very
well under water. I've heard of others sprinkling dry sand or small pebbles onto the foam while it's still sticky. I used Great Stuff when I built my waterfall and just left it exposed. It looked pretty bad for a short while, but sunlight quickly darkened it and algae and moss have completly covered it over, can't see the foam at all now! Paul |
Flagstone Waterfall
I have tried latex paint on other things in the pond. Didn't hold up very
well under water. I've heard of others sprinkling dry sand or small pebbles onto the foam while it's still sticky. I used Great Stuff when I built my waterfall and just left it exposed. It looked pretty bad for a short while, but sunlight quickly darkened it and algae and moss have completly covered it over, can't see the foam at all now! Paul |
Flagstone Waterfall
Once cured it is safe for use in and around the pond. The stuff sticks to
anything while fresh, meaning you, your clothes, the rocks, the liner. Wear disposable clothes, you will get it on your hands, and reach for something in your pocket, and end up with disposable clothes if you didn't start out in disposables. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Norm Courage" wrote in message le.rogers.com... Thanks for the information, I have used Great Stuff around the house of the years, is there any concerns health wise using it on the waterfall as far as Koi and plants are concerned ? or is it safe after it has cured ? Regards "RichToyBox" wrote in message news:nnu7b.404297$YN5.267845@sccrnsc01... There are two main types of materials used for mortaring or grouting stones on waterfalls and streams that seem to work. One is a foam called Great Stuff, which is injected between the stones after they have been dry stacked. It expands and will bubble out of the joint area, but it is easily cut with a knife to get the shape that you would like. It is a yellowish color, but can be darkened by burning the surface with a torch, smearing with soil, or applying dyes. They make a black foam also, but it is much more expensive. These foams are flexible and allow some movement of the soil without losing integrity. The other is a Portland cement mortar or grout. I would stay away from masonry mortar, since it has slaked lime added to make it more buttery, but the lime has a pH of about 13, so it will affect the pH of the pond significantly. A regular Portland cement mortar will also generate some hydrated lime as a byproduct of the chemical reaction that makes it harden. Allow the mortar to cure for about a month, and if there is only small amounts in contact with the water, you shouldn't have to worry. If there is a large amount of mortar present, you need to monitor the pH and possibly do water changes due to the pH climbing too high. Portland cement mortars are rigid and will crack due to shifting of the soil, or freeze thaw action. -- RichToyBox http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html "Norm Courage" wrote in message ble.rogers.com... We are planning to build a new waterfall on our 1600 gallon pond using flagstone and we are looking for some tips as to what types of mortar are safe for fish,plants etc, also would like any help in what type of construction anyone has used when working with flagstone. Thanks in advance -- The Courages |
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